Powder wings

ABSTRACT

A snow ski has a general parabolic shape that allows the ski to track and turn thru most snow environments. This compromised design results in poor performance in deep powder snow. Side Extensions, trade name known as Powder Wings, are a device that attaches to the upper surface of the ski. The device increases the ski surface area allowing the ski to perform better in a soft powder snow environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of Snow Skiing and is a new and useful device that will allow the ski to have increased performance in powder ski conditions.

Ski designs have been around for over a century. The basic design was a flat surface or board running the entire length of the ski. This design was very successful in soft snow conditions. However, as the industry grew more popular, ski resorts have developed their ski areas into groomed runs. The straight board design is difficult to control in this environment. Ski manufacturers have responded and developed skis that have more curvature of the underlying surface area. Within the ski industry, this shape has become known as a parabolic or shaped ski. This revolutionary design has allowed the recreational skier to dramatically improve his/her skills in turning—or carving—down a typical groomed run. The parabolic shape of the ski encourages the ski to bite into the groomed snow and turn easily. The success of this design has revolutionized the sport by making it easy for all levels of skier to effortlessly move down a ski slope.

However, all good designs have a trade off. The parabolic ski does not perform well in fresh powder snow conditions. The poor performance of the parabolic ski in deep snow has led the industry into developing skis specifically designed for powder conditions. The powder ski has a reduced parabolic curvature and a much larger ski surface area. This larger surface area allows the ski to rise up—or float—in deep powder conditions.

Given the cost of ski equipment, the average recreational skier cannot afford two separate sets of skis. Powder skis are only effective on powder ski days, which are less common than a typical ski day. Confronted with this dilemma, recreational skiers typically opt for the parabolic ski.

The side extensions for parabolic skis—powder wings—as proposed in this paten application, effectively bridge the gap in skiing by allowing the recreational skier to attach these extensions to his/her existing ski. The device extends the surface area of the ski to give improved performance in deep snow conditions yet can be easily removed to return the ski to its original specification. Additionally, the device is designed to not interfere with the parabolic edge of the ski so that when a skier encounters hard packed snow, the ski edge is still able to hold.

DRAWINGS AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

A Rough Drawing is provided to illustrate the device and the principles on which it is based. Both a typical Fat Ski and Parabolic Ski are shown for references. The dimensions are approximate as there are various sizes for each ski. The Side Extension will be manufactured in various lengths to accommodate this variation.

Figure A shows the Side Extension from a top down view as attached to an existing ski.

Figure B shows the Side Extension from a bottom up view as attached to an existing ski.

FIG. 1 shows the typical ski from a rear view with the Side Extension attached. As illustrated in this depiction the shape of the device does not interfere with the side edges of the ski.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ski equipment described in this submittal will dramatically improve the performance of parabolic skis while in powder snow. The primary objective of this invention is to allow the average skier a device that will enhance the ski performance while in fresh powder snow.

Since the device is removable it will allow the recreational skier to quickly attach if conditions warrant it.

The device by its very nature will be far less costly that a second set of specialized powder skis.

Ultimately this device will allow the casual skier to experience skiing in powder conditions—which are an experience unlike the typical groomed run experience. 

1) An attachment that when placed on to the ski body allows an increased surface area that exhibits improved control in deep unpacked powder snow conditions. The attachment is consistant in length with a parabolic ski and has a tip, tail and a cutout area to allow the ski and boot to attach with out any impediment. 2) The attachment as described in claim 1 has an inner shape that mirrors the exterior shape of the ski it is attaching to. 3) The attachment as described in claim 1 has an exterior edge that is approximately 4 CM greater than the ski that it is attaching to. 4) The attachment as described in claim 1 is attached to the ski in three distict locations using a clamp and tention method. 5) The attachment as described in claim 1 has a lower exterior edge running the length of the ski on each side that is approximately 1 CM smaller than the ski thickness. This design feature is critical as the device does not impede the ski edge in hard packed conditions. Rather, the extra surface area is only realized while the ski is in unpacked powder conditions. 